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All Forums >> Glow Engines, Gas Engines, Fuel & Mfg Support Forums >> RC Fuels >> is the fuel bad
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is the fuel bad - 11/11/2006 6:23:42 PM   
2000XLT


 

Posts: 157
Joined: 9/26/2004
From: southold, NY, USA
Status: offline 		I have about a half of a 500cc fuel bottle worth of fuel, today i am going to break in my savage 4.6 SS, should i use this fuel, it has had the cap on it since about 11 months ago sitting in my basement. I also have a gallon of monster horsepower sitting next to it un opened. If i should get rid of the half bottle whats the best way to dispose of it.
       Post #: 1

RE: is the fuel bad - 11/11/2006 6:43:46 PM   
hpi apollo



Posts: 2639
Joined: 5/13/2006
From: Georgetown, KY, USA
Status: offline 		use the new unopened gallon for break in, to get rid of the old fuel, pour it out and light it with a lighter, it will burn harmlessly


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(in reply to 2000XLT)
       Post #: 2

RE: is the fuel bad - 11/11/2006 6:51:10 PM   
Jim Thomerson



Posts: 2775
Joined: 10/9/2002
From: Austin, TX, USA
Status: offline 		The old fuel should be fine. I'm currently flying on 3-year old fuel.

(in reply to hpi apollo)
       Post #: 3

RE: is the fuel bad - 11/12/2006 3:12:27 AM   
2000XLT


 

Posts: 157
Joined: 9/26/2004
From: southold, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Well i used it anyway, brand new engine started up in about two seconds,, Just a beotch to tune it though..

Thanks for the replies

(in reply to Jim Thomerson)
       Post #: 4

RE: is the fuel bad - 11/26/2006 3:28:20 PM   
vbradley


 

Posts: 23
Joined: 4/28/2006
From: RedLands, CA, USA
Status: offline 		OLD FUEL

Always be careful with fuel that's older than 12 months. Here's the lesson I learned. The local Hobby Town offered me a deal on some fuel that was about 6 months old. I used it for about a year. I was flying my 3D plane last summer and had a flameout which resulted in a severe crash. The plane broke in half. Engine not damaged, however I couldn't get it to tune up. It's a YS .91 and I've never had to tune it since initial break-in. Just replace the fuel diaphragm once a year or so. I even had the engine rebuilt at the factory in Nevada. The tech there said it runs fine, and he ran several tanks through it. It came back with the main needle open 1 1/8 turns. So now after the crash, I can't get it to run right. It's running lean, even with the main needle open 3 turns! Here's how I know it's lean: 1.) After about 1/4 tank, it stalls when advancing the throttle from idle, (which is exactly how it died when the crash occured). 2.) The engine is very hot after it dies. 3.) If left running full throttle, after about 1/4 tank the engine suddenly decides it wants to start running backwards.
Guess where the propellor goes at this point? RIGHT INTO YOU IF YOU'RE STANDING THERE! Don't have it pointed accross the lawn, or you'll lose your prop nuts and washers. Do the tests on a concrete slab with the engine pointed toward a wall or fence.

Anyway, after reading a blurb here on RC-Universe, I learned that OLD FUEL get's thicker and causes the engine to run lean. It's a viscousity thing. In addition to that, fuel absorbs water from the air that we let into the can when we open it. So once it's opened, you should use it within a few months. Well, once I realized this, I got a fresh can of 30% nitro, and set the needle valve back to normal, then tested. Guess what? It ran two full tanks without even a sputter. My baby was back to running like new!

Bottom line on fuel: If you've got a favorite airplane that you DON'T want to crash or flameout (like a warbird or scale model) ALWAYS use fresh fuel!

Hope this saves someone a little pain!

(in reply to 2000XLT)
       Post #: 5

RE: is the fuel bad - 11/26/2006 9:11:08 PM   
rctrax



Posts: 594
Joined: 5/11/2002
From: Mosinee, WI, USA
Status: offline 		My fuel is most aways over a year old. I buy it by the case and can never use up a case in one season so there is always some left and I'll never be able to justify throwing it away when it works just as good as new fuel would.

(in reply to vbradley)
       Post #: 6

RE: is the fuel bad - 11/27/2006 6:11:33 AM   
vbradley


 

Posts: 23
Joined: 4/28/2006
From: RedLands, CA, USA
Status: offline 		RCTRAX: How often do you have deadsticks or spit props? Perhaps the YS engines are more sensitive. I'm just sharing my experience with everyone.
Vic

(in reply to rctrax)
       Post #: 7

RE: is the fuel bad - 11/27/2006 2:17:06 PM   
Sport_Pilot



Posts: 7438
Joined: 1/21/2002
From: Acworth, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Their are only two reasons fuel goes bad. It asorbed water, or the methanol evaporated off. If the fuel is kept capped then neither of these will happen. The only other problem might be really old high nitro fuel kept in metal cans. There is at least one case of the fuel igniting from a spark or contact ignition when twisting the cap off. Contact ignition can happen if the metal has corroded as it can cause alkali which will cause the nitro to become contact sensitive.

(in reply to vbradley)
       Post #: 8

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